APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr was celebrated on Monday in Appleton.
The Appleton Area School District might have been out of class, but it was still a busy Monday morning as students, teachers, and members of the community gathered for a day of service and celebration.
Daphnie McKissick, an Appleton West High School student, explains why Martin Luther King Jr. is important to her.
“He means a lot to me because of his role in history, it allowed me to go to schools that are diverse,” she explains.
And beyond celebrating King’s legacy, community members mobilized to take part in a day of service.
One volunteer group was busy working at Oneida Heights, a housing complex, helping to paint an entryway.
“I actually wanted to get my daughters involved in volunteering for the community and this was a great day for us to do something as a family and to give back,” says Bridget Zlevor.
The project at Oneida Heights was just one of six opportunities for service throughout the community on Monday.
Henry Sanders, the CEO of Fox Valley 365, was at Appleton East High School on Monday.
His company has a newly launched website which highlights the achievements of people of color in Northeast Wisconsin.
“We wanted to come to the Fox Valley because we knew there was going to be a lot of growth for people of color,” says Sanders. “We wanted to make sure we were a bridge from people from Fond du Lac all the way up to Green Bay, but we also want to make sure that the students and the schools also know that they have access and a voice and access to the community.”
The Appleton School District adopted Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a school holiday last summer.
The school district is looking to continue promoting the day as a service opportunity throughout the community.
For those interested, the History Museum at the Castle, in Appleton, is offering an exhibit that highlights the black experience in the Fox Cities.
